ENVIRONMENTALISTS are warning motorists to watch out for frogs on the roads now that the amphibians' thoughts have turned tomating in ponds.

Some local authorities in Wales have erected "frog crossing" signs to warn motorists of frog and toad migrations across well used roads.

According to the Countryside Council for Wales, a survey has shown that only one in 20 people knew that there were six species of amphibians in Wales. They include the common frog, common toad, natterjack toad, palmate newt, great crested newt and smooth newt.

Liz Howe, the countryside council's species officer, said, "Amphibians are very restricted in the areas where they can thrive because they have to stay near a source of open water. This is where they lay their eggs but they also spend a lot of time on dry land foraging for food and hibernating during the winter."